Process for the conversion of hydrocarbons of high boiling point into others of low boiling point



Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STA TESQ ERNST GALLE, 0F LUDWIGSHAJEEN-ON-THE-RHINE, AND HERMANN ZORN, or

MANNHEIM, GERMANY, ASSIGNORS, TO I. e. FARBENINDUSTRIE AKTIENGESELL- SCHAI'T, or rmmonr-on-rnn-mnm, GERMANY, A oonrone'rron or GERMANY PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCABBONS OF HIGH BOILING POINT INTO OTHERS OF LOW BOILING POINT No Drawing. Application. filed December 19, 1928, Seria1 No. 327,179, and in Germany February 4, 1928. I

It is already known that phosphoric acids are capable of splitting hydrocarbons of high molecular weight, such as mineral oils or tar oils into such of lower molecular weight at elevated temperatures.

We have nowfound that a substantially better splitting action is exerted by a catalyst consisting of or containing a salt of meta-- phosphoric acid, especially the heavy-metal salts'of the said acld and in part1cular the metaphosphates of the metals of the sixth group of the periodic system. The preferred method of operating consists in passing the vaporized hydrocarbons over the catalyst in association with inert gases such as nitrogen at elevated temperatures and, when found desirable; under pressure. The catalyst'maybe attached to a carrler, such as-pumice, silica gel or the like, upon whlch the salt, or mixture of different salts of phosphoric acids is deposited.

In addition to hydrocarbons of low bo1l1ng point, considerable amounts of unsaturated gaseous hydrocarbons such as ethylene, propylene and butylene are usually obtalned.

The cracking process is carried out under otherwise known conditions and usually between about 400 and 800 C. Inert gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide may also be added or also hydrogen. If desired, the

process may also be carried out under pressure of say up to "atmospheres. The said cracking process may be carried out either in the liquid or gaseous phase as required.

The following examples will further illustrate the nature of this invention which however is not restricted thereto. The parts are by weight.

Example 1 Example 2 100 parts of crude mineral oil in vaporized form are passed at 580 centigrade and in the presence of nitrogen, over a catalyst composed of chromium metaphosphate, 40 parts ofa product boiling below 200 centlgrade are obtained, and 18 parts of cracked gases which molecular weight by the action of heat, the

step of passing the said hydrocarbons of high molecular weight over a catalyst comprising a salt of metaphosphoric acid at a temperature high enough to remote the conversion.

3. In the process 0 splitting hydrocarbons of high molecular weight into such of lower molecular weight by the action of heat, the step of vaporizing the said hydrocarbons of high molecular weight and passing them over a catalyst comprising a salt of metaphosphoric acid at a temperature high enough to promote the conversion.

4:. In the process of splitting. hydrocarbons of high molecular weight into'such of lower molecular weight by the action of heat, the step of vaporizing the said hydrocarbons of high molecular Weight and passing them in association with inert gases over a catalyst comprising a salt of metaphosphoric acid at a temperature high enough to promote the conversion.

5. In the process of splitting hydrocar bons of high molecular weight into such of lower molecular weight by the action of heat, the step of carrying out the said treatment in the presence of a catalyst comprising a heavy -metal salt of metaphosphoric acid at a temperature high enough to promote the conversion.

6. In the process of splitting hydrocarbons of high molecular weight into such of lower molecular weight by the action of heat, the step of passing the said hydrocarbons of 5 high molecular weight over a catalyst comprising a heavymetal salt of metaphosphoric acid at a temperature high enough to promote the conversion.

7. In the process of splitting hydrocarbons of high molecular weight into such of lower molecular weight by the action of heat, the step of vaporizing the said hydrocarbons of high molecular weight and passing them over a catalyst comprising a heavy metal salt of metaphosphoric acid at a temperature high enough to promote the conversion.

8. In the process of splitting hydrocarbons of high molecular weight into such of lower molecular weight by the action of heat, the step of vaporizing the said hydrocarbons v of high molecular weight and passing them in association with inert gases over a catalyst comprisin a heavy metal salt ofmetaphos- 'phoric aci at a temperature high enough to promote the conversion.

9.. In the process of splitting hydrocarbons of high molecular weightinto such of lower molecular weight by the action of heat, the step of vaporizing the said hydrocarbons of big molecular wei ht and passing them at a temperature of aiout 400 to 800 C. over' a'catalyst comprising a salt of meta- I phosphoric acid.

10. In the process of splitting hydrocarbons of high molecular weight into such of lower molecular weight by the action of heat, the ste of vaporizing the said hydrocarbons of big molecular weight and passing them at a temperature of about 400 to 800 C. over 40 a catalgst comprisinga metaphosphate of a metal om, thesi'xth group of the periodic system. v

* 11. A process for cracking a mineral oil, which comprises vaporizing and-passing the 46 said mineral oil over a catalyst comprising chromium metaphosphate at atemperature enough to promote the converslon. testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands. 5 ERNST GALLE.

HERMANN ZORN. 

